Where to locate a replacement barrel for 99E?

[jjrothWA]

What entities would have old NOS replacement 99E barrels?

Due to lousy 300Savage round availability, I thinking of buying a .308Win,, chambered barrel.

Thanks.

[lyman]

try one of the parts places like Jack First,

or try a dedicated Savage forum,

[JohnMOhio]

Possible Brownells might be helpful.

[bruce]

Would it be possible to simply rechamber the .300 Savage chamber to .308 Winchester?

[JohnMOhio]

I am happy with my 300 Savage. Remington Model 722. Bought it in summer of 59. Came with 2 boxes of ammo for $65.00 at a company type mom and pop store in West Virginia. Mounted a Weaver K4 on it in 1962.

[Allen]

Would it be possible to simply rechamber the .300 Savage chamber to .308 Winchester?

An excellent suggestion I feel. The cases are close in measurements, the 308 being a little longer (a plus) but a little more narrow (a minus). The 2 cases take the same reloading shell holders so being that close I would feel the bolt face and extractor would work or require minimal alterations. The 308 is about .5mm more narrow at the base than the 300 so after reaming the new chamber you would have this much extra clearance width-wise at the rim. The lead (distance to the start of the rifling) may need to be lengthened. I don't know if that makes it not doable or not. I have a Marlin 336 that produces quite a bulge at the base of the case when fired. It came new that way and I should have returned it but didn't. I've never had a case rupture due to this though.

As far as doing this or finding someone to re-barrel your rifle, good luck. Finding a reputable/competent gun smith and finding one that would not charge an arm and a leg is scarce. Like auto mechanics, most gunsmiths only like to do the easy stuff and most won't attempt to re-barrel or re-chamber.

Then, there is the cost and finding such a replacement barrel. Most, if not all new barrels come short chambered to allow for proper head spacing so it would still need to be reamed. A Savage 99E isn't exactly the most common rifle either.

If it were me: I would find a used 99 in the 308, buy it and sell the 99 in the 300 caliber. If one was found in a gun shop a possible trade might be possible. You will be out some money regardless but the price difference may be about the same as paying someone to re-barrel/re-chamber and you would have a factory fitted barrel. Any differences in the magazine and feed ramp would have been resolved as well. There is currently one for auction on GB at time of this writing.

A suggestion: Due to the cost and BS involved, unless you shoot a lot you may just have to pay more for the 300 rounds and let it be. Ammo may be available at gun shows or places like GB auctions. Some local shops may order the ammo for you. Reloading what you have is a route too.

[bruce]

Re: bulge at base of case. Wrap a bit of Scotch tape around the base. For whatever reason, it works to help aleviate problems firing .303 British ammo in surplus rifle w/ generous chambers. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.

[JohnMOhio]

Midway has the brass for 300 Savage. Over the years I found it to be excellent brass. Part# 671510 Bag of 50 cases. They are expensive these days, but then again, how many times a year do you shoot that firearm. I have been using the same brass, Winchester, for over 30 years and I am not sure but I think I have 100 of them that are still new in the bag. Best load was with a 130 grain SP and IMR 3031 powder. Don't remember the charge amount. Long time since my last reload for this cartridge. Oh....also used Winchester primers.

[jjrothWA]

Contacted a gent out West, it would cost $450, to swap barrels. The SN indicate the action is properly HT for the cartridge.

Easier to buy a .308.

Have scrounged some boxes of 300 Savage ammo and acquired 40 cases of .300 brass.

Thanks.